A mix of wastewater, excreta, urine and anal cleansing water.

Wastewater that contains faeces, urine and flush water that is generated after of toilet use. Blackwater can be very harmful, if used.

The treatment of faecal sludge along with municipal waste water or municipal solid waste at a Sewage Treatment Plant.

Since most cities/ states in India don’t have FSTP, an alternative has been explored for treatment of faecal sludge at STPs. In co-treatment, faecal sludge is treated either along with the municipal solid waste or wastewater. Existing STPs are used for treatment. Based on the capacity of STP to take extra load, faecal sludge is diluted along with the sewage, dewatered and converted into useful resources.

A shared sanitation facility or toilet which is used by a group of people or community or settlement.

These are latrines that are used for a group of people or community or a settlement on a sharing basis. The user group for these facilities is more or less fixed. A community toilet may have bathing and washing facility attached to it. These toilets are operated and managed by the community with overall supervision from the local municipality. Community toilets can often be seen in the low-income settlements, resettlement colonies, slums or congested areas where IHHLs cannot be constructed.

A process by which faecal sludge is converted into manure.

Composting is one of the processes for treatment of faecal sludge. Treatment makes it odourless and usable. Faecal sludge is extremely nutrient rich. It contains nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. During composting, dewatered faecal sludge goes through a process of aerobic (in the presence of oxygen) digestion. Sawdust and wood chips are added to reduce the moisture content. This also aids in the process of faecal sludge digestion. The complete process takes 20-30 days. Once the compost is ready, it is tested for the nutrients and pathogens before use in the fields.

Human or animal waste i.e. urine and faeces.

Excreta has both urine and faeces when not mixed together. Small in quantity, excreta contain both nutrients and harmful pathogens. Fresh faeces are semi-solid substance that comprises 80 percent water, nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K). It also contains coliform bacteria, which can cause many water borne diseases. In government communications in India, faeces or excreta are also often referred as night soil and human waste.

The partially decomposed mix of semi-solid human excreta and blackwater.

The faecal sludge is formed after gradual breakdown/ decay of human excreta, and anal cleansing water into a semi-solid substance, which is also known as slurry. Faecal sludge is found settled in the septic tanks and toilet pits. Therefore, this term is linked to On-site Sanitation Systems. In families that are connected to a sewer system, faecal sludge is not generated within the premises. It is rather transported through the sewer system.

A complete chain of events dealing with safe collection of excreta to its recuse.

This term is relevant for sanitation facilities that are not connected to sewer system. In this case, the excreta is stored in a septic tank or twin pit (based on the toilet type), which is then safely emptied. Motorised equipment is used for emptying the septic tank filled with faecal sludge. It is then transported for treatment. For areas that are connected to a sewer system, emptying and transport happens through underground drainage pipes. Faecal sludge can either be treated separately at a facility especially meant for treatment of faecal sludge or with solid waste or drainage. The process of treatment of faecal sludge along with solid waste or drainage is known as co-treatment. During the treatment, the faecal sludge is digested into non-harmful, environment-friendly resources like manure, water and fuel. Manure can be used in the farms. Water is circulated back in the environment. While fuel pellets are used for producing bio-energy.

Facility for treatment of faecal sludge collected from septic tanks into useful resources.

FSTP is a technology that is used for treating faecal sludge. In areas that are not connected to centralised sewerage system, faecal waste is collected in the septic tanks. It is then transported to treatment facilities. After adequate treatment at the FSTP, faecal waste is converted into water, manure and energy pellets that can be used for producing bio-energy. FSTP plants work based on gravity, therefore, don’t require much mechanical intervention and electricity, hence, semi-skilled workers can also operate an FSTP.

Wastewater from kitchen, laundry, bath or from any other domestic use.

Greywater doesn’t contain any excreta or faecal matter or flush water. It can be reused even for drinking purposes after suitable treatment.

Vehicle used for extracting faecal sludge from septic tanks.

A honeysucker is a vehicle connected to a pump and water jetting equipment. They suck faecal sludge out of the septic tanks. Then, they transport it to a designated point for treatment. These trucks play a significant role in sanitation systems that are not connected to piped sewer network. In other parts of the world, these are also known as vacuum trucks.

A toilet within the premises of a household that is maintained by the user(s).

A sanitation facility or infrastructure which is located within a household. The Individual Household Latrine (IHHL) is operated and managed by the users themselves. An IHHL is considered cleaner than other types of toilets e.g. community toilets and public toilets. Through various schemes and policies, the Government of India intends to maximise the usage of IHHLs in the country.

Structure that is used for safe urination, defecation and scientific disposal of human waste.

A latrine combines a closed superstructure (above ground) and covered substructure (below ground) used for scientific disposal of excreta. Superstructure consists of an adequately ventilated closed room to ensure safety and privacy while urinating and defecating. The sub-structure comprises of a covered pit that separates excreta from human contact. Such structures include sewer, septic tanks, pour-flush latrines, ventilated improved pit latrines and pit latrines with a slab or covered pit. These toilet types are subsequently explained in the lexicon.

A person who is engaged in manual cleaning, emptying, and handling human excreta from toilet pits, septic tanks, drains and sewers.

Any person who is involved in collecting, cleaning and emptying latrine pits by non-mechanical ways i.e. bare hands, broom, basket or bucket is a manual scavenger. After collecting, human waste is carried on head or shoulder and dumped at a dumping ground or water bodies. According to Indian laws, the practice of manual lifting of human excreta is known as manual scavenging. Since 1993, manual scavenging is illegal and prohibited under a law in India. In 2013, Indian government passed Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers (and their rehabilitation) Act, 2013 to further strengthen the act. Despite these provisions, it is believed to be practiced in many households, public and community toilets. People engaged in this work often face discrimination in the society. Therefore, mechanical or motorised methods of emptying pit latrines and septic tanks is the only way forward to eliminate manual scavenging and provide a dignified life to manual scavengers.

Person who constructs the toilet including superstructure, septic tanks, and toilet pits.

Masons are an important conduit in the urban sanitation chain. They not only construct the toilet but also advice the households about the design of toilets. A mason leads the process of providing information about space requirement, size of pit, and requirement of construction materials to the households. A skilled mason ensures that the toilet design meets the standards set out for the construct of septic tanks, pits and installation of P-Trap. However, it has been observed that most masons ill-advice households to save their costs and space requirements. This leads to faulty design and construction of toilets. Masons often agree to construct over-size septic tanks and pits to reduce the frequency of emptying and cleaning up tanks.

A phenomenon where a community or individual denies or argues against a new development activity near their house or neighbourhood because they feel that it can be harmful to them or to their society.

In the urban sanitation context, NIMBY is mainly seen at the stage of septage treatment. For a safe and healthy environment, it is important that faecal sludge is treated in a scientific way to remove odour and harmful pathogens. This process is carried out by either STPs or FSTPs. However, it has been observed that people oppose installation of a FSTP/ STP in their neighbourhood. Most people perceive that an FSTP/ STP will pollute the environment or cause bad odour in their neighbourhood or locality. They do it without understanding that the dumping of untreated faecal sludge in the water bodies or on the land will anyway cause health hazards. Therefore, while siting treatment facilities, people living in the vicinity should be consulted and made aware about the benefits of the plant. This will enhance the social acceptance of the technology as well as the treatment plant.

A process to validate that an area/ city has become open defecation free.

A stepwise process that is used to confirm if an area or city has become open defecation free and is sustained in long-term. The first step is based on self-declaration made by municipalities on achieving ODF. It is further validated by District Collector’s office and then by a State Level Committee (SLC). Based on the report of SLC, 10 per cent cities undergo a random verification by the state government. After round one of validation by SLC, cities go for another round of validation after six months to ensure sustenance of ODF.

A sanitation technology that allows treatment of faecal matter on the site of containment.

OSS allows decentralised collection or treatment of human excreta. In OSS, faecal matter is collected or treated within the household premises where it is generated. This system is useful for families and settlements that are not connected to a sewer system. After collection, the faecal matter can be treated either on the site of generation or at some other location. The system where excreta is treated on the site include ventilated improved pit (VIP) toilet, basic pour flush latrine, and pour flush connected to twin leach pit. In systems like septic tanks and single pit latrines, sludge is transported and treated at some other location.

A space where faecal matter is not visible, and people safely dispose faeces.

It has been established that Open Defecation Free (ODF) is linked to improvement in health parameters, and reduction of water borne diseases. The explanation of ODF varies from organisation to organisation. However, a space where faecal matter is not exposed to the environment, and communities use scientific method to ensure safe disposal of human waste can be termed as ODF.

The scientific method means no contamination of surface soil, ground water or surface water; excreta inaccessible to flies or animals; no handling of fresh excreta; and freedom from odour and unsightly condition.  

In India, the government uses two more terms that are intrinsically linked to ODF i.e. ODF+ and ODF++. The ODF+ means management of faecal sludge in addition to open defecation free. While the ODF++ stands for management of faecal sludge and solid waste besides open defecation free. The terms faecal sludge management (FSM) and solid waste management (SWM) are explained in the later portion of this lexicon.

Toilets for floating population in areas like markets, railway stations, tourist places, office complexes.

Public toilets are provided for the floating population or public in the market places, railway stations, bus stands, tourist places, office complexes. The user group for public toilet cannot be defined. These toilets are often managed and maintained by municipal bodies.

Reuse of products generated after treatment of faecal sludge. 

After treatment, faecal sludge is converted into useful resources. it becomes odourless (doesn’t smell) and bacteria free. Besides, conversion into useful products makes it usable and resourceful. The by-products of treatment include water, which can be easily recycled into the environment or used for non-potable purposes. The solid product can be used as manure or energy pellets for producing bio-energy or for filling up trenches. These can be sold for financial gains.

A public health and hygiene situation where human excreta and waste is safely disposed.

Sanitation is an important aspect of ensuring health and well-being of people. It deals with proper and safe disposal of human and animal faeces, urine, waste water and garbage. The definition of sanitation has evolved over the years based on changing scenario i.e. increasing population and growth. The improper sanitation leads to many diseases like diarrhoea, malaria, schistosomiasis, trachoma among others.

Services and technologies that are necessary for safe and scientific management of human excreta and waste water. 

In the urban context, sanitation systems can be explained as multi-step process that ensure safe and scientific management of human waste across the sanitation value chain. It begins with containment and collection of faecal matter in a septic tank, transport for treatment and ends with disposal and reuse of waste i.e. water and nutrients. The sanitation system consists of products i.e. human excreta, urine, and cleansing water that travels through various steps of sanitation chain. These contain technologies that best suit their requirements.

The entire sanitation chain that starts with collection of human waste and completes with treatment and reuse of faecal waste as resource in different forms i.e. organic manure, water, energy etc. 

At each stage, the sanitation chain brings value to the community, environment and delivery of sanitation services. The first step in sanitation value chain ensures safe collection of faecal matter ensuring that it doesn’t come in contact with the people and environment. The safe collection is done using soak pit or twin pit. In case of soak pits, the faecal sludge must be emptied and transported using mechanical or motorised ways for safe treatment. In India, manual emptying of faecal matter is banned under a law. During treatment, faecal matter is converted into various types of usable resources. These can be a) water, which is then circulated into the environment, b) manure for use in the farms, and c) energy for use in kitchens etc. However, in twin-pit system excreta is treated onsite and converted into compost, which can be directly used in the farms.

Semi-solid material containing faecal matter extracted from septic tanks.

In sanitation systems that provide for an on-site treatment of human waste, faeces along with urine and anal cleansing water is stored in a septic tank. It is then partially digested to form a semi-solid substance, which is suspended at the bottom of tank. This is known as septage and requires regular emptying from septic tank.

Mechanised method of collecting faecal matter from septic tanks i.e. using honey suckers. 

In urban areas not connected to a sewer system, faecal sludge is collected or stored in septic tanks. Septic tanks facilitate partial digestion of excreta and separation of sludge and water. Therefore, these tanks require emptying on a regular interval. Based on family size, a standard septic tank requires emptying at an interval of two-three years. The safe containment of faecal matter in the septic tank helps avoid its contact with the environment and groundwater.

For emptying, historically, there has been a practice of manual emptying of septic tanks in India, however, this is now prohibited under law. Over a period, septic tanks are emptied using mechanised methods using honey suckers. Smaller Vaccutugs are used for extracting faecal sludge in areas that cannot be reached through big trucks. These trucks are connected to a vacuum sucker and water jetting equipment. While manual emptying of tanks is prohibited by the law, machines are operated by human beings and is permitted under relevant laws.

Safe conveyance of faecal matter from septic tanks or point of collection to treatment facility. 

After collection and emptying of septic tanks, faecal sludge (excreta, urine and flush water) is transported to treatment facilities. Based on the location, faecal sludge is transported on trucks and tractors.

The process by which faecal matter becomes bacteria free and odourless.

In India, the majority of small cities and towns lack facilities for adequate treatment of faecal sludge. According to the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, only 30 per cent sewage is treated. In absence of these facilities, faecal sludge is often dumped into rivers or on dumping grounds. This is done at some distance from the habitation. This further contaminates water bodies, land and pollutes environment. The safe treatment ensures that faecal sludge becomes odourless and bacteria free. The process of treatment includes segregation and digestion of septage into useful resources like water, energy pellets, manure etc. The treatment can be done either at a Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) or treated along with solid waste at a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).

An underground tank which is used for temporary holding and partial treatment of faecal matter including urine.

Septic tanks are generally found in households that are not connected to sewer system. In such houses, an underground chamber is constructed for storage, and partial treatment of human waste. The faecal matter is treated anaerobically i.e. by micro-organisms i.e. bacteria present in the tank. These micro-organisms reduce the quantity of sludge. The faecal sludge settles on the bottom of the tank, and effluent is discharged into a soak pit or sewerage system. Since excreta is not completely decomposed in a septic tank, it requires regular emptying. People in urban areas in India find septic tanks aspirational, however, don’t want to empty the tank on a regular basis. Unlike other onsite sanitation technologies, the cost of constructing a of septic tank is high. This prohibits many people from constructing toilet but at the same time they don’t want to construct twin-leach pit toilet considering it poor people’s solution. People who opt for constructing a septic tank often don’t construct adequate pit in order to save costs. This leads to faulty construction resulting in leachate mixing up with ground or drinking water. In many instances, families prefer constructing big septic tanks, often faulty to save costs, as they don’t want to empty it in their lifetime.

Untreated municipal waste water that contains faeces and urine.

In sanitation systems where, faecal waste is transported through pipes, waste water from kitchens, bathing, and washing mixes up with faecal matter. Sewage is semi-solid watery substance that can be transported using pipelines.

Latrine with a squatting hole where faecal matter is deposited in a pit.

This is one of the most widely used but rudimentary type of a toilet. In this, a pit is dug for collection of human waste including urine and anal cleansing water. The pit size can be two meters or more in depth. To avoid groundwater contamination, it must be two meters above the water table. A platform and a footrest is constructed to ensure that the person using the toilet doesn’t fall in the pit. In India, government considers simple pit latrines to be insanitary. These toilets are often smelly, and with insect nuisance. Indian government in its guidelines has laid down a provision for conversion of all urban insanitary latrines into sanitary latrines.

Campaign to ensure visible cleanliness and make India open defecation free by October 2, 2019.

On October 2, 2014, Government of India launched Swachh Bharat Mission, a campaign to promote cleanliness, hygiene, and eliminate open defecation. Besides ensuring visible cleanliness, it aims to promote use of toilets among both rural and urban households to improve overall quality of life. By October 2, 2019, the mission aims to achieve universal total sanitation. The mission has two sub-missions, Swachh Bharat Gramin (Rural) and Swachh Bharat Urban, which are managed by Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

The technique used for safe disposal of faecal sludge.

In this technique, deep trenches are dug and then filled with raw faecal sludge brought from septic tanks/ drainage. It is then covered with soil and trees are planted to suck nutrients from the sludge. Trenching should be done away from the human settlement or water bodies. At times, this adds to the cost of transportation and poses the challenge of land availability. This technique can be used in cities where modern and safe techniques like STP and FSTP are not available for treatment of faecal sludge. However, this is an interim solution in absence of STP or FSTP.

A toilet technology with two pits, of which only one is used at a time, allows on-site collection and treatment of human waste.

Above the ground structure (superstructure) of a twin leach pit latrine consists of a squatting pan with steep slope, footrest, and P-shaped trap that creates a water seal. The trap is further connected to two alternating pits, which is below the ground (substructure). Human excreta including urine and anal cleansing water is stored in these pits. Water in the P-trap prevents the flow of gases and insects from the pit to toilet. Faecal sludge stored in the twin-pit latrine decomposes into compost by heat while water leaches out into the surrounding soil. The compost can be removed by using a shovel or spade for use in farms. Twin-leach pit latrines have been recommended for a country like India. The toilet provides for onsite treatment of faecal matter. However, in urban areas, twin-leach pit latrines are not aspirational and treated as poor people’s solution for sanitation.

Low cost single pit latrine where vent pipe and netting is used for controlling odour and flies.

An upgrade of single pit latrine where pit is connected to a vent pipe with fly-proof netting on the top of the pipe. The ventilation keeps that latrine free from odour and flies. The on the ground structure includes an aerated room, and a squatting hole for excreta to directly fall into the pit. The room is generally kept dark to avoid flies.